South Natick Dental Group

11/03/2025

A frayed toothbrush loses its ability to clean effectively. The worn bristles no longer reach between teeth or along the gumline, allowing plaque to stay behind. Over time, this buildup leads to gum inflammation, bad breath, and early gum disease.

Worn bristles also become sharp and uneven, causing micro-scratches on enamel and irritation to delicate gum tissues. Instead of protecting the mouth, an old brush can worsen sensitivity and even push bacteria deeper into the gums.

Dentists recommend changing your toothbrush every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles spread out. A fresh brush ensures effective cleaning, healthy gums, and reduced risk of oral infections.

11/02/2025

10/30/2025

Human saliva is an unexpectedly powerful natural healer. Made up of 99% water and just 1% electrolytes, mucins, proteins, enzymes, minerals, hormones, urea, cells, and bacteria — it forms a complex biological blend that accelerates wound repair.

Research from the National Library of Medicine reveals that proteins like histatin in saliva trigger rapid skin cell migration, allowing wounds to close faster than when treated with antiseptics.

Saliva also carries natural antimicrobial components that help prevent infection during healing. This remarkable built-in defense shows how the human body uses its own biological tools to protect, restore, and repair itself.

10/29/2025

Choose the right time to visit your dentist.

10/27/2025

Teeth are the only part of the human body that cannot heal on their own particularly the enamel. Unlike bone or skin, enamel has no living cells, no blood supply, and no ability to regenerate. Once it’s damaged by decay, trauma, or erosion, the loss is permanent.

While minor remineralization can occur in early stages through fluoride and saliva, true biological repair never happens. Dentin and pulp may respond to irritation, but their healing capacity is extremely limited.

That’s why preventive care brushing, flossing, fluoride use, and regular dental visits remains the strongest defense. Once enamel is gone, only a dentist can restore what nature cannot.

10/23/2025

Research has found that inflamed gums aren’t just a mouth issue — they may signal inflammation happening throughout the body, including in the arteries of the heart.

Scientists discovered that the same bacteria found in gum disease can enter the bloodstream, trigger immune reactions, and accelerate artery plaque buildup — quietly increasing heart attack risk.

What’s shocking: patients with severe gum disease are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular complications, even if they have no heart symptoms yet.

Regular dental cleanings and early gum treatment don’t just save teeth — they can literally protect your heart. The next check-up might be life-saving, not just smile-saving.

10/22/2025

Brushing your teeth is essential, but it doesn’t reach the tight spaces between your teeth—that’s where flossing comes in!

Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles your toothbrush can’t reach, protecting your gums and preventing cavities in those hidden spots.

Do you floss every day? Tell us about your oral hygiene routine!

10/20/2025

When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the neighboring teeth slowly begin to shift into the empty space. This silent movement disturbs the natural bite alignment, leading to uneven chewing forces, jaw discomfort, and even TMJ (jaw joint) strain over time.

Meanwhile, the bone that once supported the missing tooth starts to shrink—a process called bone resorption. Without stimulation from the tooth root, the jawbone gradually thins out, altering facial shape and making future replacement (like dental implants) more complicated and costly.

In many cases, unbalanced biting and food impaction around tilted teeth can accelerate gum disease and decay in surrounding areas. What begins as “just one missing tooth” can eventually create a chain reaction affecting the entire mouth’s health and aesthetics.

Replacing a missing tooth promptly—through options like implants, bridges, or dentures—restores both function and stability, keeping the bite balanced, the bone strong, and the smile youthful. Dentistry isn’t just about filling gaps—it’s about preserving harmony in the oral system.

10/17/2025

When was your last dental checkup? Hopefully within the last six months! But did you know that these appointments aren’t a modern invention?

In fact, dentistry is one of the world’s oldest professions, with some of the earliest evidence of dental work, such as cavities being filled, dating back over 7000 years. Luckily, dentistry today is quite different, and safe to say, a lot more sophisticated and effective!

10/15/2025

When we think about things that might potentially stain our teeth, coffee is often the first thing to come to mind. It’s true that this beloved beverage can cause dental staining, but it’s not the only consumable you should be mindful of. Red sauces and wines, blueberries, blackberries, and other kinds of berries, sodas, juices, sports drinks, hard candies, and other similar items can all leave your teeth duller than usual!

Remember, enjoying these items in moderation – and maintaining excellent oral hygiene – is a great way to ensure that your pearly whites remain sparkling bright!